Liverpool Vs Atletico Madrid Champions League: The Reds Aim For Revenge, Atleti Threatened Without Stars

Mo Salah, still relied on in front of Liverpool (photo: x @lfc)

JAKARTA - The big match was back at Anfield when Liverpool hosted Atletico Madrid on the first matchday of the 2025/26 Champions League season. The meeting between the two European giants brought back a fierce memory of the past, when the two were often involved in a tight duel on the blue continent stage.

Liverpool, now coached by Arne Slot, started the season perfectly in the Premier League. They won four consecutive wins, although some came in a dramatic way. Most recently, Mohamed Salah became the hero with a penalty goal in the 95th minute when they beat Burnley 1-0. This record made the Reds make history as the first team in Premier League history to win four early wins in the season through late goals in the last 10 minutes of the match.

Although the dramatic winning style raises a question mark whether it can continue, the most important thing for Liverpool is the full 12 points and the top position of the standings at the start of the season. Now, focus on turning to the Champions League, where the Reds wanted to make up for last season's failure to stop in the last 16 by Paris Saint-Germain.

Anfield became the main weapon. Liverpool are unbeaten in the last 14 matches of European competition at home, both in the Champions League and Europa League. Even more remarkably, they scored at least two goals in their last 13 games at home.

On the other hand, Atletico Madrid came with a reputation for a tough team under Diego Simeone. Since handling Los Rojiblancos, the Argentine coach has brought his team to a clean sheet in 42% of Champions League games, the best record among Spanish clubs with a minimum of 50 games under one coach.

However, Atletico's start in La Liga this season was less convincing. They failed to win in the first three games, including losing 1-2 to Espanyol and drawing against Elche and Alaves. Fortunately, the international break gave time to improve performance, and they got up with a 2-0 win over Villarreal last weekend through goals from Pablo Barrios and Nico Gonzalez.

Atletico have consistently appeared in the Champions League, this is their 13th season in a row appearing in elite competitions. They also scored in 15 of the last 16 group stage matches, and rarely lost in the opening match only twice in the last 15 seasons.

The history of the meeting of the two teams is quite tight. Atletico was difficult to beat Liverpool in the early era, losing only once to the first six meetings. However, the situation turned out in 2021/22 when the Reds won two wins in the group stage, and since then Liverpool have successfully defeated four Spanish teams in a row in Europe.

Liverpool are still waiting for their new striker Alexander Isak's debut, who was brought in from Newcastle for 125 million pounds. Arne Slot confirmed the forward entered the squad, but most likely just sat on the bench. Alexis Mac Allister is also doubtful of a full appearance after being pulled out against Burnley to avoid a more serious injury.

Another percentage came from Curtis Jones, while Dominik Szoboszlai has the potential to return to play in midfield after being rotated to the right-back position. Jeremie Frimpong is predicted to return to the main line-up. Other big names such as Federico Chiesa are confirmed to be absent from the league stage squad.

Atletico were hit by a storm of injuries in their win over Villarreal. Julian Alvarez, Nico Gonzalez, Robin Le Normand, and David Hancko were all pulled out. Of the four, Hancko was confirmed absent due to an ankle injury, while the condition of the other three players was still a question mark.

Jose Gimenez, Alex Baena, and Thiago Almada also cannot be played. If Gonzalez is not fit, Conor Gallagher is most likely played as a starter on the left side of the midfield.

Liverpool showed an increase in defense solidity after wobbling at the start of the season. However, their front line still had difficulty scoring goals from open play. Even so, Anfield remains the fort of angker who is difficult to penetrate, especially since Atletico came in a crippled squad due to the number of injured players.

With Anfield's burning atmosphere and slick record at home, Liverpool are predicted to start the Champions League with a narrow win.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2):Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Rugeni; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann, Sorloth

Score prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Atletico Madrid